Oak Park

[Brad T]

Please post all comments relating to Oak Park here.

[colin]

well another year has come and gone. well done to marby park on winning the A grade grand final, i just want to say. well done to PHIL and THE BOYS FROM MY BELOVERED OAK PARK ON MAKING THE FINALS and to all YOU GUYS THAT SAID WE WOULDNT EVEN MAKE THE TOP 6. JOKES ON YOU. WELL DONE OAKERS................

[matthew]

Spoke to an Oakers mate and they are working on another Bullants player after signing Ex Carlton player Jesse Smith. Dan Barassi and Dave Wittmar return with favorite son Luke Ryan back also.
They will be very goodcin 2011.

[wildcolonialboy]

President has been stepped down at Oakers

[strathnomore]

Apparently something to do with the coaches wife.

[interesting]

Not the Senior coach from my info!

[torpfrom50]

Jan 27, 2011 23:29:28 GMT 10 interesting said:

Not the Senior coach from my info!

Any of this confirmed or just another rumor??

[julianlarkins]

Massive game for oakers tomorrow can't wait to go and watch them in action. I love the hard running and quick ball movement of the oakers which is in contrast to the tough in close footy marby play. Oakers at their best have shown they can punish any opposition but if the lions can hold them early then they will wear them down over the four quarters.

[julianlarkins]

Fantastic win by the Oakers, fully deserved the result and probably could have won by more with a bit of luck. I will provide an in-depth summary of the match:

Quarter 1
As you would expect the game was hard and tough from the start with Marby gaining the early ascendency through Holland, Bullen and Broadbent winning the contested ball and getting centre clearances. Joe Laverde was providing plenty of run on the wing, consistently getting long kicks into the forward line. O’Halpin was getting the Lions first use out of the centre and the Oak Park backline seemed rattled with turnovers costing them two early goals, McKenzie slotting both from the arc. When Livingstone finished a well worked goal for Marby’s third and then Carey led and marked for another, Oakers were in danger of losing the game in the first quarter.
Finally Oak Park hit back, firstly from a smart centre from Harrison to Hooper who had an easy finish to get them on the board, and then through a poor kick-in by Bailey which Pascu made him pay for, converting the set shot from 45m on a tough angle. Just prior to their second major Andrew Smith had marked a long pass from O’Halpin’s attempted spoil. After missing the set shot words were exchanged between the two, with Smith clearly suggesting the big Irishman had heard footsteps and pulled out of the contest. There was a fair bit of tension and niggle in the game already and this verbal added even more fuel to the fire, surely angering the Marby players who pride themselves on their toughness. Almost inevitably, moments later Oak Park’s inspirational skipper, Alex Gleeson, got a massive hit in the middle of the ground. Gleeson was running with the flight of the ball from a knock on by the ruckman, he was looking up to try and gather the ball and right at the moment he was most vulnerable he got struck down with a bump. It looked like Holland had got him, but every supporter in the general area did not see it. It happened so quick that you could barely tell what had happened. Play on was called as Gleeson lay unmoving on the ground, knocked out before he even hit the ground. In AFL, it would be 2-4 weeks for a hit like this, in EDFL it is a different story. The Oak Park players did remonstrate once time on was called, but perhaps due to the fact that nobody actually knew who got him it did not boil over into a melee. The umpires did well to separate the groups as Gleeson was stretchered off. He would take no further part in the contest. It was a big hit, clearly intent on doing maximum damage, but it appeared quite fair. Similar to Lloyd’s infamous bump on Sewell, it was just a clean hit. Some would say it was a snipe, others would say it is what makes the game so good. To be fair, it was a line ball, but probably a fair hit. Irrespective of the legality of the bump, it was clearly intent to rattle the Oakers. Losing any player like this is tough to come back from, but when it is your captain it makes it especially difficult. This Oak Park team showed they were up the challenge and never really looked back.

Carey added the Lions fifth soon after, again Oak Park letting themselves down with the big man allowed too much space to convert his second. The Oaker’s defence were not handling the ball coming in from the centre bounces and Marby were threatening to run away with the game. A great tackle by the Oaker’s big ruckman Aaron Lerm on Broadbent helped swing the momentum back in their favour. Small forward Tom McIntosh started to get himself into the game, firstly with a good centre to Mills who goaled, and then McIntosh got on the scoresheet slotting a long goal from a Considine assist to steady the Oakers. Clarke, Pascu, Luke Ryan and Sciciliano were now working into the game and giving the Oak Park forwards more chances. Another turnover by the Lions allowed Sciciliano to give to Turner who again converted. A crucial tactic to move Danny Stone onto Marby’s Joey Laverde helped turn the game. Stone limited Laverde’s influence after the wingman had dominated the early stages of the quarter. Late goals had given Oak Park plenty of belief and Marby slowed the contest down to ensure they did not leak anymore goals.
Craig Clinnick expressed his disappointment at conceding back to back goals and criticised having stationary players clogging the forward line. He also suggested that their opponents could not sustain their run but did commend his players for going to ‘tempo footy’ at the end of the quarter.
Phil Plunkett applauded his players for laying 20 sheppards and 21 tackles. Plunkett highlighted the need to keep the intensity up and for his players to put their head over the ball when required.

Quarter time: Oak Park 5.2 (32), Marby 5.0 (30)
Injuries: Gleeson (concussed), Sean Towner (hamstring).

Quarter 2
The start of the second quarter saw a great piece play by Marby’s back flanker Simon Cave, or more commonly known as ‘Bomber’. Bomber won a vital contest on the back flank to then hit Carey on a long lead, only to then gut run to the forward line about 100m for the return pass. It was fantastic to see such hard running in local footy. His efforts were rightly rewarded with the set shot marked by Stewart who goaled on a tight angle.
Oak Park’s gun player, Jesse Smith, then started to impose himself on the contest racking up touches in the middle of the ground and on the half backline. Smith provided the pass to Hooper, who’s set shot fell short, only for him to eventually get the ball back and goal into the breeze. Ben Considine was also working into the game providing good options on the half forward line including marking and goaling from Robbie Ryan’s kick. Oak Park’s engine room were working extremely hard to create options into the wind.
Still Oak Park was letting themselves down with Marby getting a quick fire reply from Broadbent’s centre clearance which eventually came to Livingstone who snapped for his second major. Broadbent consistently got clearances all game.
Oak Park started to get their run going more in the second term, switching the ball quickly and moving the ball on with quality skills by hand and foot. When Oak Park play like this there is no better team in the competition. After running the Marby defence off their feet on the city wing, a lucky bounce in the square fell to Luke Ryan who ran into an open goal and swung the momentum firmly in the hands of Oak park just before the main break.
At the end of the second quarter Marby looked pretty shot. Their backline was depleted without Barling, Boyd and both Towners and their best player, Heath Ayres, looked to be playing with an injury. He was rotating between midfield and forward and just was not at his devastating best. The depth of Maribyrnong’s list was being tested and their bottom five players did not seem up to it. The game was clearly Oak Park’s for the taking.

Halftime: Oak Park 8.5(53), Marby 7.1 (43)

Quarter 3
The third quarter was one of the best defensive efforts I have seen. The Oak Park backline, which had been below par in the first half, lifted to absorb constant pressure and forward entries. Marc Lord led from the front, taking marks and tackling brilliantly to lift his team. Marby were throwing everything at the Oakers and it was the backline and especially Lord that stood up. Perhaps the sight of their skipper back on the bench had also inspired the Oak Park team.
Equally impressive was the performance of Heath Ayres, the little terrier shone in this quarter when most of his teammates were down. He would have had about twelve possessions for the quarter, mostly contested. He is a genuine champion and probably the best player in the competition. But it was just not Marby’s day with far too many injuries and a distinct lack of run against a team that was hungrier, quicker and had more winners all over the ground.
A lot of the quarter was played in Oak Park’s backline but the Oakers would consistently counter attack running the ball down the wing and creating clear opportunities to an array of leading forwards. Andrew Smith was impressive up forward along with good support from Considine, Mills and Hooper. Star forward Razor Harrison had been well held all day by Adrian Gervasi, a rare winner for the Lions on the day.
John Angel looked out of depth down back and no doubt was missed up forward for the Lions. Conversely, Oak Park had great performers down back with David Wittmer beating Livingstone and Joel McDonald blanketing Holland’s influence. Marc Bullen had a lot of the ball without much influence on the game, whereas the Oak Park midfielders Sciciliano, Pascu, Jess Smith and Luke Ryan were all key contributors.
Aaron Lerm had got on top in the ruck and even kicked a rare goal. In the third quarter, though Marby tried hard to lock the ball in up forward, it was the work of Oak Park’s defence that set the platform. If anything the Oakers should have been leading by more at the last break. Marby were working desperately to create chances but the tackling, pressure and rebounding ability of the Oak Park backline was phenomenal.

Three quarter time: Oak Park 12.8 (80), Marby 7.5 (47).

As you would expect, the final term had lost the intensity of the previous three as the game was virtually over. Livingstone starting at centre half back was a clear victory to Oak Park. A couple of goals to Holland in the last quarter offered some resistance but ultimately the game was dusted well before the final siren. Oak Park were happy to control the tempo and chip the ball around to ensure they would not throw it away. Plunkett had warned his players not to be complacent, reminding them that at Abers they had let one go.
Kade Carey managed another goal in the last showing that he has regained some form and fitness. It was great to see the big man moving well and he was clearly the Lion’s most effective forward all day.
Andrew Smith continued to get plenty of the ball up forward, and really could have had a bag of goals if he had kicked straight all day. Nonetheless, Smith was probably the Oakers best forward, although as you would expect from the EDFL’s most damaging offence, they had a number of contributors up forward including Considine, McIntosh, Mills and Hooper. Harrison had a rare quiet day, being well held by Gervasi, yet Razor did manage a goal in the final term.
Oak Park were still running, smothering and tackling right to the end, a very daunting sight for any opposition team. David Wittmer never let up on Livingstone, still acting as a shadow on the gun forward right until the end. The Oakers biggest challenge is if they can play such a high tempo and hard-running game for four quarters. This performance showed they can. Not forgetting that gun forward Jack Kennedy and midfield general Frank Raso were not even playing. This performance proved Oak Park can win the flag.
For Marby, I do not think it is time to panic just yet. They have shown in the last two years that you discount them at your peril. They have genuine injuries especially down back. They do lack some run, with Cave and Laverde about the only two players that can consistently break the lines for them. I think with a full team they could then throw Bullen to a back flank to get more run and carry out of the backline. Their depth is a major problem.
Overall it was a fantastic, tough game of local footy. The balance of power has shifted somewhat, with Oak Park clearly on the improve. If these two teams were to meet again in finals this year, I think Oakers will win, which is exactly what Marby will be happy for people to think.

Final Score: Oak Park 15.10 (105), Marby 10.6 (66)

Best Players
Oak Park: David Wittmer, Joel McDonald, Marc Lord, Luke Ryan, Jesse Smith, Pascu, Sciciliano, Andrew Smith, Aaron Lerm

Marby: Laverde, Broadbent, Ayres, Gervasi, Carey, Cave

[csmith]

What a massive result for OP yesterday! The comp has been blown wide open over the last week or 2. Can someone who saw the game give an explanation of how this score line came about? Both grades now have huge endings to the season ahead with only a couple of games separating the top 5-6 teams...

[julianlarkins]

Oak Park's performance was very impressive to say the least. They came out in the first quarter and kicked 6 goals to 3 into the breeze. They then piled on goal after goal in the second term to effectively end the game by half time. They have the best game plan in the league, the cleanest ball movement and can just punish opposition teams with absolutely ruthless efficiency. Abers were completely blown away by the speed of ball movement and their ability to counter attack and with a weakened defence the two blues could not stop their myriad of forward options. And its not only the seniors that play this fast-paced, running game as watching the reserves its obvious that a lot of work has been done to ensure both teams play the same way.

To be fair to Abers, they were missing their two best defenders and also had a few others out. The ball really didn't bounce their way at times and Oakers really do have a game plan where if they can land the knock out punch early then a 100 point deficit is not out of the question. They did the same thing to Strathmore. But they are no way a 100 point better team than Aberfeldie, it could be a different story in finals. Also, Oak Park play this ground to perfection.

Phil Plunkett, for me, is the best coach in the league. He has turned a B-grade premiership side into finalists first year up in 2010, and now has them as the form team in the comp with huge scalps over Greenvale, Strathmore, Abers and Marby. If they make the top 2 then they deserve to be flag favorites. The only issue for them is, will this game plan get it done in finals? Last year it didn't, but they came close on a wet day against eventual premier Marby. This year, they may get the second chance and they may also have a bit more midfield grunt. Pascu is a year older and stronger and is well and truly one of the best players in the comp, while Sciciliano, Luke Ryan, Raso and co. provide the midfield toughness that means they can arguably match it with any team if it became a tough slog. Add to this their new recruits in particular Jess Smith and Lord and you really do have a much improved team on last year. One thing is for sure, any other team that thinks they can beat Oakers at their own game, is kidding themselves. If you let them run then they will destroy you. To beat them you need to slow the game down, keep possession and lock them down so that they cannot use their switch to rebound and score. Their forward line was without Mills and Kennedy but they still had Considine, Hooper and Andrew Smith to name just a few. Andrew Smith is their best forward but it's the depth in their forward stocks that is frightening.

I think Abers just need to forget about this result and move one from it. A loss is a loss. I think with both teams at full strength in a final the contest will be much closer.

Best Players:

Oak Park - J. Smith, A. Lerm, A. Smith, S. Higgs, Considine, Pascu, L.Ryan, Hooper...basically their whole team.

Abers - Rush, Houli, Duggan, Skipworth

[bushfooty]

oak park are the real deal!!!!

saw oak park run all over keilor today infront of good crowd and am backing them for the flag.

they have to go as flag favorites.

keilor young guys were good but couldnt stay with them.

[julianlarkins]

Another win for the Oakers and with a comparably easy run into finals a top 2 finish is not out of the question. Gallant effort by Keilor with their season on the line. I heard they kicked the first 5 and fought the game right out but Oakers class showed out in the end. Both Pask and Garth were in the goal kickers and Dylan Joyce continuing his good form along with Van Riet. Can anyone from Oak Park provide a bit more on their best players etc? It is yet another big score of 120 reinforcing they have the most lethal forward line in the comp!

[lebron]

Phil Plunkett coach of the year

[bricksta]

Massive News out at OAK PARK today, if it is in fact True..

Phil Plunkett has not been reappointed!!!!!

Glen "smokey" Dawson is back...!